Las Vegas Holiday !

Do you like the new sexy version or the classic Yo ho Yo ho version?

Which version do you think best represents the Treasure Island in Las Vegas?

classic, yo ho ho ho classic

What games for Nintendo DS have you played multiplayer 2:1 (i.e. you can play with just one cartridge?)?

I know that Mario Kart and Clubhouse Games are 2:1 single card multiplayer games. I think my True Swing Golf is, but what else do you know of that you can play with just one cartridge? (i.e. without both buying the game?)

i only for sure know of these ones, but i think there are more (besides the ones you have already said)

metroid prime: hunters
diddy kong racing DS (release date is Feb 07, 2007)
lego star wars II: the original trilogy
dragon quest heroes: rocket slime

if you use the 2:1 feature there is limited capabilities than with everyone having their own. like on mario kart you can only be one character and only use 8 of the total 32 tracks.

(you can up to 4 players on 1 game)

Antique Vintage 1945-1952 Toby Mug Jug Pitcher Made In Occupied Japan Collection $14.99

Vintage Hotel silver plated souvenir Creamer/Jug Morris Inn Antique collectable $0.99

8 inch Jug Collectible from Germany antique $99.99

Collectable Tin Candy Jar/Shaped Like Antique Mlk Jug $8.00

1945 Linz Collection antique Tiger Ware Jug of 1566 Ad $5.94

vintage,antique,collectible,4 vases,1 watering jug,ornate,paint,cherry blossom $7.50

VINTAGE PRIMITIVE METAL FARM MILK JUG ANTIQUE COLLECTIBLE KITCHEN HOME DISPLAY $99.00

Collectible Antique Stoneware Jug Little Brown Jug $65.00

Antique collectible brown glass jug $9.99

Antique Vintage Toby Beer Mug JUG CUP Shorter England Collectible Rare Art Deco $99.99

That’s a great idea. You can goto the “Yahoo! Answers Suggestion Board” and make your request there. Just click on the “Forum” link in the upper right corner of any Answers page or click the link below.

http://suggestions.yahoo.com/?prop=answers

NEW Lord Of The Rings Sword of Samwise Museum Collection LOTR Licensed UC2614MC $112.00

Lord of the Rings Sword of Samwise Museum Collection UC2614MC **NEW** $159.99

UNITED LOTR UC2614MC SWORD OF SAMWISW WEATHERTOP SERIES MUSEUM COLLECTION SWORD $143.99

Sting Sword Museum Collection Limited Edition – LOTR – Lord of the Rings $999.00

Lord of the Rings Glamdring Museum Collection Sword $399.99

Lord of the Rings Sting Sword Museum Collection $199.99

United LOTR Sword of Samwise Museum Collection UC2614MC $170.95

United/Cut UC2614MC Museum Collection Sword of Samwise Gamgee’s Sword $189.99

Here’s a few offhand ideas-

Most of the RPG games will net $2-3 apiece. Perhaps a bit more for the Final Fantasy games, and definitely more for Pokemon Ruby. You’ll get next to nothing for games like NHL 2002, and not much better on old action/movie games like Harry Potter or Frogger. Pokemon Diamond should get you $20.

You’ve got 25 GBA games and one DS game. From what I see of your GBA games, they’re generally the better selling ones, but that’s still a minimal return. It’s a bit tough to guess with so many games, but I’d say $80-100 would be likely.

I can tell you some likely prices for a handful of games.

Riviera, The Promised Land, Sword Of Mana, Golden Sun, Golden Sun The Lost Age, Phantasy Star Collection, Shining Soul 2, Breath Of Fire, all would get $2-3 apiece. Most of these sell for about $10-15, but the hold time on them can be a bit long, so getting 50% would be difficult.

Namco Museum, NHL 2002, Rayman 3, Frogger Adventures, Temple of The Frog, all of these would get you a dollar or less apiece most likely. Definitely not fast movers.

Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Final Fantasy 1&2 Dawn Of Souls, Final Fantasy 4 Advance, Pokemon Ruby Version, Pokemon Pinball, Ruby andd Sapphire, if you’re going to make a decent amount, this is where it’s at. I’d guess at least $5 apiece on each of these, and very possibly a bit more.

The others, I’m not entirely sure. If I’m undershooting GBA trade-in values (I’m guessing low since the GBA is an older system, so they’re less likely to pay normal rates), you could be in for as much as $150.

Not very likely unless you go to a local game store that’s not Gamestop.

Also note- Trading in for cash will get you about 20% less money than store credit.

Flights to Cebu, Philippines from London, UK

The best diving hub of Philippines, Cebu with outstanding coral configuration and stunning aquatic life is very conveniently accessible with flights to Cebu. Located in the center of Philippines archipelago, Cebu is an excellent leaping off spot for a complete travel to island. It is also famed as the queen city of South around which Visayas rotates. Cebu is the tourists’ dream of a tropical island which has become true with pleasant climate, immaculate beaches, clear waters, and deluxe and comfy hotels and resorts with all the accompaniments of contemporary living styles. Being the well liked travelers place, frequent flights to Cebu are operating on regular basis.

Whether you are going to explore the island as a leisure tourist or as a business traveler, Cebu has lot more to offer its visitors. Moreover the luxurious stay at the lavish lodgings is creating more fascination among the tourists who book flights to Cebu. A huge range of hotels is available, few of which are:

Marriott Cebu city:
It is situated in the lush stretches of Cebu Business Park and inside a block of the striking Ayala Center. Spacious and clean rooms, gracious staff, and tranquil atmosphere are taking Marriott Cebu city in the top ranking of hotels of Cebu. People who book flights to Cebu mostly prefer this hotel to choose for their lodging.

Water Front Cebu City hotel:
View the famous landmark of Philippines in Cebu which is not only a superb hotel and casino but also the renowned landmark. The duty free shopping, excellent food and its closeness to the airport is one of the reasons why people choose it for their stay.

Crown Regency Hotels and towers:
One of the best hotels in the town, Crown Regency hotel presents business, entertainment, best cuisine, drink places, leisure outlets, fitness center, and much more. Its best location in the center of the city is also a plus point for the visitors.

Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa:
Enjoy the spectacular waterfront views from Hilton Cebu resort which is located at the private beach of Mactan Island. 24 hours room service, delicious food, business rooms, pools, bars, fitness center, entertainment and leisure facilities and spacious and luxurious rooms are few salient features of the hotel.

Shangri La Mactan Island resort:
Enjoy your stay at the most complete beach resort which is the perfect place to forget your all worries and have a romantic and stress free lodging.

When you book flights to Cebu, it is good to book a hotel as well as this will cost you less and keep you safe from any kind of hassle.
http://www.7-continentstravel.co.uk/flights-to-cebu.html

About the Author

flights to Cebu from UK

May i have bus schedules from Westchster County, N.Y. to Foxwoods casino?

yes you can

Laughlin, Nevada is Known as the Unvegas

The one-time owners of a tiny eight-room motel on the banks of the Colorado River must be feeling a little like the Native Americans who sold Manhattan Island for, let’s say, less than today’s market value.

Not that these motel owners were short-changed by visionary Don Laughlin – it’s just that now, four decades later, Laughlin has parlayed that $235,000 investment into a big-time resort empire that so far has drawn eight other casino/hotels to his little stretch of the Colorado. In the meantime, Laughlin has pumped millions in casino profits back into such community projects as a bridge to Arizona and an airport capable of landing 737′s.

Who could blame folks if they named the town after him, too?

Laughlin had made a few bucks selling a gambling club in Las Vegas and, while flying over what is now Laughlin, Nevada, the soon-to-be resort magnate looked down and saw a stretch of the river nestled between two sets of craggy mountains. The river also is the dividing line between Nevada and Arizona, and California’s just a few miles up the road.

“If we build it, they will come.” Not Don Laughlin’s words, but no doubt his sentiments as he looked into his unusually reliable crystal ball and foresaw the development of another Las Vegas just about an hour’s drive south of the real one. In 1966 he opened the Riverside Casino with 12 slot machines and two playing tables. There were only four rooms to be used as accommodations becuase the Laughlin family lived in the other four rooms.

Fast-forward to a Riverside Casino that, over the years, has grown to more than 1,400 rooms including two towers, various casinos and plenty of extras to make the property a favorite for visitors to Laughlin. Lots of other familiar names have now staked out claims along the Colorado, including the Flamingo, Golden Nugget and Harrahs. There are now 10,000 rooms and 60 restaurants serving the more than 5 million visitors who come to Laughlin each year.

Why people come to Laughlin is best explained when you look at the city’s visitor demographics. To start with, they’re a bit older – about two-thirds of them are 50 or older, and about a third are 65 or older. They spend an average of $33 a night to stay in Laughlin, but they’ll budget more than $400 to gamble while they’re in town for their two or three day stay.

In short, the people who come to Laughlin would rather spend money on gambling than on fancy hotel rooms, and chances are they’re also more than a little phobic about the traffic and parking problems they think they might encounter in Las Vegas. As one hotel marketing person told us, Laughlin really is thought of by many visitors as the Old Las Vegas – the one that was more focused on providing cheap beds and cheap eats, but plenty of opportunities to gamble. Another phrase we heard was the “un-Vegas” that takes visitors back to a simpler time and place that is easier on the pocketbook.

Judging from our recent visit to Laughlin, the niche still seems to be working, despite more competition nowadays from Indian casinos that have siphoned off some of the California visitors who now may be content to stay and gamble at a casino closer to home. But Laughlin still pulls them in very well from several parts of California, and from many other places across the country including destinations in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. Three different airlines now are providing charter service into Laughlin from dozens of destinations.

The weather was great during our November visit — mid 70′s, sunny, cloudless skies. In fact, winter is the best time to visit Laughlin because the locals will tell you that summer can be 10 degrees hotter than the already toasty LasVegas.

With consistently warm weather, another factor comes into play in Laughlin: The River. We read someplace that this is the only part of Nevada that really has this much water to play around in and, judging from the many ski-doos and speed boats on the Colorado, we would not be surprised. The hotels showcase the river as much as they would some big-name entertainer – they almost all have boat docks and shuttle boats for guests to cross the river, and there are also cruises on sternwheeler replicas and even high-speed river boats.

In fact, the river walk in Laughlin is not unlike the river walk in New Orleans – the Colorado at this juncture is quite a bit narrower than the Mississippi, but the festive walkway with restaurants and shops all along the way can be just as entertaining. And, of course, Laughlin has a series of casinos whereas New Orleans just has one in the riverfront area.

Laughlin really doesn’t have Las Vegas-quality entertainment. The city does get high-quality and current acts, including many of the top country music entertainers on the charts today. But you also may be likely to see someone who has already peaked, possibly quite a few years ago. While we were there, the current and coming attractions included names like Vicki Lawrence, Charo, Mel Tillis, Roy Clark and a special “Where are they now” show at the Edgewater featuring several former child stars like Paul Peterson (the Donna Reed Show) and Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell on Leave it to Beaver).

One big plus is that the entertainment in Laughlin is pretty cheap. If you’ve gone to Las Vegas and passed on the entertainment just because it was too expensive, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in Laughlin. Instead of $100 or $150 a ticket, name acts can be as little as $25 a seat.

Most of the big-name entertainment comes to the Riverside, which was our base of operations while in Laughlin. With little plastic signs in our guestroom saying “The customer is always King,” we could not help but get a sense that Don Laughlin has trained his staff to focus on customer service. Throughout the Riverside complex there are special indications that the Riverside has been a work in progress. There’s a 34-lane bowling alley and adjacent Kids Castle that allows you to drop your kids off for $6.50 an hour. A “Loser’s Lounge” has pictures of famous losers on the walls. There’s a terrific antique car museum. Oh, and of course don’t miss the Watch Man, a place where you’ll find thousands of watches with thousands of designs including several with Jesus Christ on the dial. There’s something for everyone at the Riverside.

There also doesn’t seem to be much sin to this version of Sin City – no one handing out pamphlets advertising escorts, no over-the-top billboards or signs, no real attention to girlie shows with the exception of one “Showgirls” revue at one of the hotels. You get the feeling that many of the visitors here might be some of those voters concerned about moral values, and one guesses that whatever happens in Laughlin most certainly will not stay in Laughlin.

Reinforcing this was our chance encounter with some favorite relatives from Hemet, California, who were visiting Laughlin the same time as we were, and also staying at the Riverside. We know them as church-going, God-fearing people and they were in town for four days of what they consider to be good, clean fun.

Somehow, we think that’s exactly what Don Laughlin had in mind when he first laid eyes on that little eight-room motel on the banks of the Colorado River.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Laughlin is at the southern tip of Nevada and about a five- or six-hour drive from many points in Southern California.

WHAT: Laughlin is a trip back in time to the Las Vegas of 40 years ago. The strip of nine casinos can be walked, for the most part, using a walkway along the Colorado River.

WHEN: Any time of year, although summers can be very hot. The best option is to visit in winter when temperatures are in the 70s and the sun shines often.

WHY: Laughlin is a good place to visit if you’ve grown weary of, or are apprehensive about, the crowds, lines, traffic and prices of Las Vegas. However, it’s definitely a more subdued vacation experience when compared with the glitter of Vegas.

HOW: Accommodations at the Riverside and other Laughlin hotels are quite reasonable. For more information on the Riverside or flight packages, phone 1-800-227-3849, or visit www.riversideresort.com. For more information on Laughlin, call 1-800-4-laughlin. Or visit the Laughlin Visitors Bureau website at www.visitlaughlin.com.

About the Author

Cary Ordway is a syndicated travel writer and president of Getaway Media Corp, which publishes websites focused on regional getaway travel. Among the sites currently offered by GMC are http://www.californiaweekend.com , covering California beach vacations and other Golden State destinations, and http://www.northwesttraveladvisor.com , covering Northwest travel .

Why is it that the city of cleveland wants to speend so much unnessasary money to build a casino.?

Cleveland is rated I think the top 4 brokest cities but yet and still they can build a casino. I think that’s so stupid because all the money thier speending to built this casino could be used for more tutors at school, new school books, fields trips ect. All I’m trying to say is we the people in high and low places don’t think about the kids in our community and our education and thats not fair to us.

Living in Las Vegas I know that generally it is one company that is building a casino, not the city. If in your case it is the city, they want to build it because casinos bring in a ton of revenue. There will be more money to help the students, and everyone else. It is a great alternative to raising taxes. The city still gets money from the people, but now the people are giving it instead of having it taken away. Also, if it is a company building the casino, the city is probably supporting them (which is why you would be seeing politicians talk about it). The city would support a casino being built for the same reason – businesses get taxed. Taxes equal more money for the city. Large businesses (such as casinos) pay more taxes than smaller bussinesses, so the city is more likely to support it being built. I hope this helps you understand that they are not trying to take money away from you, but find new ways to bring it in, because what they’re doing now obviously isn’t working. The old adage “You have to spend moey to make money” is completely true, and that’s what they are doing. Good luck!

The Unvarnished Truth About Vegas: Seven Reasons Why It’s Easier Than You Might Think to Lose It All

The Unvarnished Truth About Vegas: Seven Reasons Why It’s Easier Than You Might Think to Lose It All

What is it about Las Vegas that prompts otherwise rational people to make rash decisions they wouldn’t dream of at home? Jay Rankin, author of Under the Neon Sky, explores the seductive culture of a city that makes people lose their minds—and their fortunes.

Los Angeles, CA (January 2010)—We all know that Las Vegas is a town where you can make—or break—a fortune in a single game. And while millions each year decide to gamble there regardless, most of us like to think that we’d stop before our losses left the triple digits. That’s why we’re scandalized, horrified, and fascinated when we hear stories like that of Terrance Watanabe.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Watanabe, who built up a fortune while running his family’s party-favor import business, has found himself in the hole to the tune of $127 million—an astronomical sum by any measure. How could this have happened? we ask ourselves. Why didn’t he stop? I certainly wouldn’t have let myself go that far, even if I did have a fortune to lose.

How, indeed, did this highly successful and presumably intelligent person manage to fall prey to one of the biggest individual losing streaks in Las Vegas history? The answer, says Jay Rankin, is much more complex than you might initially guess—and it says just as much about Vegas as it does about Watanabe.

“It’s tempting to blame Watanabe’s loss on his own bad judgment,” concedes Rankin, author of the new non-fiction book Under the Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story (Jay Rankin Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9842109-1-6, $14.99). “And it’s true: He chose to stay in an environment that was clearly destroying him. However—and this is a big however—the truth is that Las Vegas is constructed to lure in people who are susceptible to destructive behavior, and to nurture those behaviors once they’ve started. Especially if those people are high rollers.”

Rankin knows what he’s talking about. A former probation officer, family and addiction counselor, and television host who holds an advanced degree in psychology, Rankin worked the graveyard shift as a doorman at the 5,000-room MGM Grand hotel for six years. A memoir of sorts, his book tells the true story of this turbulent period in his life.

In his position as a doorman, Rankin found himself at the intersection of two worlds: the flashy, electric exterior of the Las Vegas strip, and its gritty hidden infrastructure. Surrounded by hordes of visitors whose singular goal was often to cross lines, Rankin faced a nightly fight for his sanity and his safety. And during that time, he got an insider’s view of how the city works.

“Watanabe’s case seems sensational because of the amount of money involved,” says Rankin. “But really, this is old news. It happens all the time. If you step back and look at the marketing, it’s brilliant: the lights, the shows, the food, the entertainment, the rooms, and the views…the possibility of winning big, of getting laid, of doing drugs, and on and on. Even the rush of anticipation you get when you plan a trip to Vegas is addicting.

“The whole atmosphere has been carefully constructed to address all groups and ages and cultures,” he adds. “And you don’t have to be as rich as Mr. Watanabe to get in over your head.”

Read on as Rankin explains the strategy behind Sin City’s allure.

The sheer excitement draws you in. If you’ve ever been to Vegas, you know that it is, quite simply, intense. The colors are vivid, sounds constantly bombard you, and you’re always surrounded by a diverse mass of people. You might be sitting near a group of beautiful women having a “ladies’ night” out on the town, or you might be mingling with a celebrity at a bar. The level of excitement is always very high. It’s impossible to be bored in the midst of all of the spectacle and pageantry, and The Best is right at your fingertips: the best restaurants, the best shows, the best parties.

“Las Vegas is alive with action and anticipation, and you can’t help but want to be part of it,” Rankin acknowledges. “The atmosphere very much lends itself to making visitors want to be part of the ‘in crowd.’ They’ll do whatever they think will land them in the V.I.P. room or in the winner’s circle.”

There are no boundaries. Think about it: In your hometown, you have to act a certain way, and you have to abide by certain rules. Your place in society, whatever it might be, is accompanied by a set of obligations—to your family, your employer, your friends, etc. Not so in Las Vegas. It’s a city where the impossible…isn’t anymore.

“The primary allure of Vegas is that there are no boundaries,” Rankin says. “There is no clock, no last call, no line in the sand. You can do what you want, whenever you want, with whom you want. You’re free to stay out all night and bet it all. Your fantasies are right in front of you…and when you can indulge in them without repercussions, it’s almost impossible to say no. Vegas has been designed that way for a reason, and it’s true—what happens in Vegas really does stay there. Unfortunately, the consequences of indulging in your wildest desires stick around long after the thrill is gone, and Mr. Watanabe is a prime example.”

The city is alive, 24/7. Las Vegas doesn’t sleep the way other cities do. It is, literally, a 24/7 town, and there’s just as much to do and see at 4 a.m. as at 10 p.m. Indeed, as the night wears on, casinos and clubs raise their glitz factors. Beautiful people and high rollers continue to make spectacular appearances and place outrageous bets. And of course, the neon lights glow even more brightly at night.

“The spectacle alone is enough to make you want to stay up and take it all in,” Rankin says. “And if you’re enjoying yourself, if you’re flirting with a beautiful woman, if you’re convinced that the next hand is yours, then there’s no reason to stop. No one is going to make you leave; no bartender is going to put out a last call. You can stay out until you’ve dropped from exhaustion or blown through every last cent you have.”

Vegas builds the hype that anyone can win. It’s true; anyone can win. No one is prohibited from coming out on top at roulette, poker, slots, or any number of games. The possibility is always there. And often, that’s a problem. There’s an impetus to keep going, no matter how well or how badly the game is going. To compound the compulsion to keep playing, Vegas is also good at hyping the “almost” factor. “You almost won that time! So close! You should play just one more game.” Often, this encouragement comes from fellow guests, not from casino employees. Everyone is waiting on the next big win.

“Go to a table that’s hot and look into the eyes of the players,” Rankin suggests. “Most of them will not be coolly calculating whether they should stay or walk away. They’ll rush into the next hand, dazzled by what they could win. After all, when will they feel this way again? Study the people playing slot machines. Many will sit for hours and hours. If they win a jackpot, many will give it all back. The hotels know all about this, and they are continually improving and updating their casinos to make them more exciting, modern, and consumer-friendly—a place where you can see yourself making it big.”

The comps are spectacular. Vegas, says Rankin, invented the comp. So it’s no surprise that Harrah’s offered Terrance Watanabe V.I.P. perks, such as free stays in a three-bedroom suite at Caesars, seven-course meals while he gambled, and tickets to see the likes of the Rolling Stones.

“If a player of this caliber is not happy, he will simply walk across the street and keep playing at another casino,” Rankin points out. “So it’s well worth a hotel’s investment to make him feel like a king by offering him comps. Hotels answer to shareholders, and they actively compete for high rollers like Mr. Watanabe. It’s well worth the cost of a $1,000 bottle of champagne to keep someone who’s betting many times that in his chair.

“Some establishments even have a ‘secondary marketing’ department whose sole job it is to keep the wives, children, and friends of high rollers happy so that they don’t influence the primary target to leave. That might mean showing them around town, taking them out to dinner, or surprising them with tickets to a show.”

Everyone could be a V.I.P. To a lesser extent, everyone in Vegas is wooed by the V.I.P. treatment, or at least the possibility of receiving V.I.P. treatment. Sure, all guests are treated well, but if you bet enough or win enough, you’ll be waited on hand and foot. Think about it: You see a postman or an administrative assistant or a bank teller win the jackpot. Suddenly, that person—who is an average joe at home—is being treated like royalty. And you think to yourself, That could be me. What’s next? Well, says Rankin, your compulsion to win will grow. And you’ll keep playing.

“Again, it all goes back to putting the forbidden within the customer’s reach,” explains Rankin. “Hotels will go to great lengths to make customers call their casinos home, and they’ll do anything for you so that you will come back and bring your money with you. If that means giving you a free drink or even a personal handler, so be it. Everyone wants to feel important.

“As a hotel employee, I saw just how pervasive this please-the-guest culture is,” he adds. “When I was a doorman working the 2 a.m. cab line, I was expected to keep my mouth shut even when faced with verbal abuse and physical violence. And in Vegas, both of those things are commonplace. No matter what, though, it was always my position on the line—the guests themselves would not be thrown out for anything but the very worst behavior.” Note: See attached tipsheet for more details on how casinos attract and keep guests.

The booze is always flowing. Yes, alcohol is available just about everywhere in Vegas. No matter where you go, it seems, a cocktail waitress is at your elbow, offering you a drink, or refilling the one you already have. And it’s not just booze, either: Drugs are there for the taking as well. Obtaining them might not be legal, but in most cases, all you need to do is ask the right people.

“The effects of drugs and alcohol on your decision making are obvious,” Rankin points out. “But casinos will keep serving you as long as you’re coherent, as long as you seem to know what you’re doing. It’s up to you to know when to stop once you’ve started, and most people find it hard to tap into that sort of self-discipline in the strip’s addictive environment. The bottom line is, unless you’re clearly not in control of yourself, hotels and casinos are not responsible for unwise decisions you make while you’re under the influence.”

“Ultimately,” says Rankin, “Las Vegas is not a city that’s about being smart. It’s not a city that’s about making good decisions, or knowing when to stop. And it’s not meant to be. Most of Vegas’s attractions—gambling, sex, drinking, getting high—are very slippery slopes. One step over the line leads to another, and then another, and then another. And pretty soon, the only thing that can obscure the guilt and panic you feel is to seek out those thrills again. It happened to Mr. Watanabe, and to a lesser but no less devastating extent, it happens to hundreds of average joes every day.”

# # #

The Science Behind Sin City: Six “Lucky”

(for the House, That Is!) Tips and Tricks That Keep Las Vegas Lit Up

From Jay Rankin, author of Under the Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story

(Jay Rankin Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9842109-1-6, $14.99)

Millions of people from around the world come to Las Vegas to experience the city’s one-of-a-kind attractions and atmosphere. And they keep coming back, time after time. It’s not just because Vegas has that special je ne sais quoi—in Sin City, attracting visitors and keeping them there has been honed to a veritable art form. Here, author Jay Rankin reveals some common strategies Vegas hotels and casinos use to maximize profit and guests’ goodwill.

That “casino cachet” is calculated—right down to the carpet color. Nothing about a casino—its layout, its color scheme, its music, the placement of its staff—is left to chance. The patterned carpets, alluring noises, and lighting are designed to keep the senses stimulated. And heaven forbid that “unlucky number 13” makes an appearance! You won’t find it anywhere—not on room numbers, and certainly not a 13th floor.

“Hotels especially are experts in the science of human behavior,” notes Rankin. “They are masterful at playing into the ego, at making each guest feel as though he or she is special and different from everyone else. While a bellman might say, ‘I know you’re new in town; let me recommend a restaurant,’ what he’s really communicating is, ‘Tip me!’”

Big Brother is watching you play blackjack. It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. In Vegas, you’re always being watched, whether you’re on camera, being tracked electronically, or being monitored by a dealer in a live game. Casinos’ surveillance cameras are very high-tech—so much so that they can count your eyelashes. So if there is sleight of hand going on in a game, it will be noticed.

Also, when you gamble, you are given a player’s club card. This enables casinos to see how long you gamble, what your games of choice are, and how much you’re betting. If you’re a high enough roller, you’ll be targeted for special treatment—after all, the last thing the casino wants is for you to walk out the door! You might also be researched by other casinos who are hoping to woo you to a new “home” on the strip. It’s a constantly evolving science of how to keep players at each hotel.
 
The more you play, the more they pay. You probably know high rollers get the royal treatment. But the truth is, more moderate gambling is rewarded. Casinos track guests through their player’s club cards, and if you play enough, you can earn a free meal, or even a free room for the night! If you’re winning, you’ll be approached with these offers. If you’re losing, though, it’s your responsibility to go to the office and ask whether or not you qualify for any perks.

“Incidentally, casinos would rather you play a $1 slot machine for four hours than a $100 slot machine for five minutes,” notes Rankin. “You have to realize that 40 to 50 percent of their revenue doesn’t come from gambling but from shopping, dining, lodging, and so forth. The name of the game is to keep you on the premises as long as possible.”

Slot machines are meant to mesmerize. In high-end casinos, you can be sure that you’re using a state-of-the-art slot machine. Casino managers work to make sure that their establishments’ machines are as enticing as possible, with moving images and unique sounds. Some slot machines even talk to you! What you might not know is that these flashiest machines probably don’t pay as well. Regardless, casinos are betting you’ll be drawn to them because you like what they do.

“People truly get addicted to the lights and the noise,” says Rankin. “They will sit there for hours feeding money into a machine. It’s kind of like watching a movie.

“Casinos also watch the traffic patterns of their guests, and relocate their most lucrative machines accordingly,” adds Rankin. “It’s just like a retail setting: It pays to move the merchandise. The highest-payout machines are placed near walkways and registration areas, closest to the highest concentrations of guests. So some machines really do pay better than others—but if you’re looking to win, you might want to avoid the strip altogether. Machines in local casinos aren’t as tight.”

As the sun goes down, the bets go up. Although most visitors never notice, the minimum bet at the same blackjack table isn’t the same during the day as it is at night. The table might start at $1 while the strip is sunny, but that amount will rise to $5 as the afternoon wears on, and then to $10 at night. Casinos know that their clientele is changing—families are going to shows and eventually to bed, while more serious gamblers are just coming out.

Once your butt’s in a seat, they’ll do anything to keep it there. Once you’re sitting down, the casino wants you to stay there, and so do individual employees! Cocktail waitresses vie for certain areas of the floor, and they’ll bring you drinks as long as you’re sitting at a machine. And not only that—they’ll give you “hints” to keep you there, drinking and tipping.

“A waitress might say, ‘This machine has hit the jackpot twice in two weeks; it’s been so long it’s gotta be due again,’” says Rankin. “Never mind the fact that—scientifically—there’s no way to predict when a machine will or won’t hit.”

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About the Author:

Jay Rankin didn’t research Las Vegas; he lived it. His six years as an MGM Grand doorman gave him the insider’s view of real Vegas life, the grit behind the glitz. Jay reveals a Vegas few people know exists. Jay hosted a weekly television show, Las Vegas Business Week. That media experience and his connections won him the ambassador’s job out of 1,500 applicants.  
 
Jay holds an advanced degree in psychology. He began writing in 1993 and is currently working on his second book, about his life after escaping Vegas. He resides in Los Angeles, California.

For more information or to read Chapter 1 of Under the Neon Sky, visit www.jayslasvegas.com.

About the Book:

Under the Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story (Jay Rankin Publishing, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-9842109-1-6, $14.99) is available at bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.

About the Author

Jay Rankin is author of Under the Neon Sky: A Las Vegas Doorman’s Story